ARMY KEPT OF STREETS ON DAY OF BLAST
Army 'kept off Omagh streets on day of blast'
BY MICHAEL McHUGH
THE Army may have been kept off the streets of Omagh on the day of the 1998 blast, one of the relatives claimed yesterday.
Godfrey Wilson, whose 15-year-old daughter Lorraine was one of 29 killed in the Real IRA attack, also claimed there could have been a reduced police presence in the town.
He is pressing for an independent cross-border investigation into alleged security force failings before and after the single worst atrocity in the history of the Troubles.
Mr Wilson said: "There was the question of the Government doing a deal and reducing policing on the streets, keeping the Army within the barracks on the day."
Nobody has been convicted of murder at Omagh. Victims have taken a civil case for damages against those they blame.
They were at Stormont yesterday for a debate on their demands for an inquiry into security force intelligence and events surrounding Omagh.
Mr Wilson added: "There are questions which need to be answered - I have a 15-year-old in her grave.
"There were too many issues before the bomb and certainly too many issues after Omagh."
His concerns include revelations that phone conversations between the bombers on their way to Omagh were being recorded by the Government's electronic intelligence agency, the GCHQ.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a review following the allegations.
The Alliance Party was to introduce a debate on calls for a cross-border investigation at the Assembly yesterday.
Leader David Ford said: "I hope that our Assembly debate can increase the pressure on the British and Irish governments to commence a legally-binding cross-border process to uncover the truth.
"So far the Omagh families have been denied real justice. The least they deserve is the support of the Stormont Assembly in their bid to seek the truth about that fateful day."
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman rejected the allegation.
The motion, amended by the DUP, was passed unanimously.
It recognised republicans alone were responsible for the tragedy; noted recent revelations about the GCHQ tapes and called on the UK Government to urgently investigate the matter openly and with the confidence of the community, in cooperation with the government of the Republic.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the onus was on the governments in Dublin or London to answer the pleas of the families.
Tom Elliott, of the UUP, said there was a danger full disclosure could compromise ongoing operations against dissident republicans.
"There is a likelihood that any investigation will not be what the victims' families hoped for," he added.
Democratic Unionist Maurice Morrow said there needed to be full disclosure about the GCHQ allegations. He alleged Sinn Fein had held back at the time of the bombing.
Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff said he knew people lost in the bombing and sympathised with the emergency services forced to witness the carnage.
Sinn Fein has already supported calls for an inquiry.
The SDLP supported the Alliance Party and both parties opposed the DUP amendment while not forcing a formal vote.
Mr Ford said: "I am not happy with the DUP, UUP and Sinn Fein behaviour today.
"The Omagh families wanted all politicians out there behind them in their quest for truth and justice."
BY MICHAEL McHUGH
THE Army may have been kept off the streets of Omagh on the day of the 1998 blast, one of the relatives claimed yesterday.
Godfrey Wilson, whose 15-year-old daughter Lorraine was one of 29 killed in the Real IRA attack, also claimed there could have been a reduced police presence in the town.
He is pressing for an independent cross-border investigation into alleged security force failings before and after the single worst atrocity in the history of the Troubles.
Mr Wilson said: "There was the question of the Government doing a deal and reducing policing on the streets, keeping the Army within the barracks on the day."
Nobody has been convicted of murder at Omagh. Victims have taken a civil case for damages against those they blame.
They were at Stormont yesterday for a debate on their demands for an inquiry into security force intelligence and events surrounding Omagh.
Mr Wilson added: "There are questions which need to be answered - I have a 15-year-old in her grave.
"There were too many issues before the bomb and certainly too many issues after Omagh."
His concerns include revelations that phone conversations between the bombers on their way to Omagh were being recorded by the Government's electronic intelligence agency, the GCHQ.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a review following the allegations.
The Alliance Party was to introduce a debate on calls for a cross-border investigation at the Assembly yesterday.
Leader David Ford said: "I hope that our Assembly debate can increase the pressure on the British and Irish governments to commence a legally-binding cross-border process to uncover the truth.
"So far the Omagh families have been denied real justice. The least they deserve is the support of the Stormont Assembly in their bid to seek the truth about that fateful day."
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman rejected the allegation.
The motion, amended by the DUP, was passed unanimously.
It recognised republicans alone were responsible for the tragedy; noted recent revelations about the GCHQ tapes and called on the UK Government to urgently investigate the matter openly and with the confidence of the community, in cooperation with the government of the Republic.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the onus was on the governments in Dublin or London to answer the pleas of the families.
Tom Elliott, of the UUP, said there was a danger full disclosure could compromise ongoing operations against dissident republicans.
"There is a likelihood that any investigation will not be what the victims' families hoped for," he added.
Democratic Unionist Maurice Morrow said there needed to be full disclosure about the GCHQ allegations. He alleged Sinn Fein had held back at the time of the bombing.
Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff said he knew people lost in the bombing and sympathised with the emergency services forced to witness the carnage.
Sinn Fein has already supported calls for an inquiry.
The SDLP supported the Alliance Party and both parties opposed the DUP amendment while not forcing a formal vote.
Mr Ford said: "I am not happy with the DUP, UUP and Sinn Fein behaviour today.
"The Omagh families wanted all politicians out there behind them in their quest for truth and justice."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/786
Published Date: 15-Oct-08
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